Chopard is celebrating 30 years of its Fleurier Manufacture with the launch of L.U.C 1860.
To mark three decades of watchmaking excellence at its Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier (founded in 1996 on the initiative of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-president of Chopard, to preserve traditional Swiss watchmaking know-how while integrating major innovations), Chopard revisits one of its most defining creations with a refined continuation of the L.U.C 1860. The L.U.C collection pays tribute to Louis-Ulysse Chopard by adopting the initials of the founder of Chopard’s first workshops, established in 1860. More than a simple anniversary piece, this new edition reflects both continuity and evolution, preserving the aesthetic codes that made the original iconic while incorporating the technical advancements achieved over the past 30 years.
The watch retains its elegantly restrained 36.5mm case, a size that feels particularly relevant in today’s landscape of renewed appreciation for classic proportions. Crafted from Chopard’s proprietary Lucent Steel, the case offers both durability and a distinctive luminous quality. Its dial, presented in a striking Areuse Blue, draws inspiration from the nearby Areuse River in Switzerland’s Val-de-Travers. Known for its shifting hues and dramatic natural surroundings, the river serves as a poetic reference point.
A closer look reveals the depth of artisanal craftsmanship. The dial, made from 18-carat white gold, is hand-guilloché using a traditional lathe operated by in-house artisans – a rare practice that underscores the brand’s commitment to métiers d’art. A sunburst pattern radiates outward, complemented by additional guilloché rings that structure the display and play subtly with light. A satin-brushed chapter ring frames polished white gold chevron-shaped hour markers, while Dauphine hands ensure legibility and elegance. At six o’clock, a small seconds subdial maintains the symmetry of the design, notably omitting a date window to preserve visual purity.
Inside, the timepiece is powered by the L.U.C Calibre 96.40-L, an ultra-thin automatic movement measuring 3.30mm thick. This calibre is a direct evolution of the first movement conceived and produced by Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier in 1996. Equipped with a 22-carat gold micro-rotor, it efficiently winds a twin-barrel system, Chopard’s Twin technology, delivering a 65-hour power reserve. Precision is ensured by COSC chronometer certification, while a stop-seconds function and a swan’s neck regulator enable fine adjustment.
Finishing is executed to the standards of the Poinçon de Genève (an independent certification applied to the movement and the entire watch, introduced in 1886, one of the oldest and most prestigious distinctions in Swiss watchmaking). Every component is meticulously hand-decorated, reinforcing the piece’s standing in haute horlogerie.
“The L.U.C 1860 is the most emblematic watch in the L.U.C collection. It marks the beginning of our journey into the heart of fine watchmaking – a path that has sometimes been challenging yet full of discoveries. This timepiece has become a classic, just as I had imagined it 30 years ago,” said Chopard Co-President, KarlFriedrich Scheufele.